System, are you messing with me?

Ark 4 - New friends and old enemys

Shu Ning opened his eyes again and looked up. He immediately recognized the male figure leaning above him, it was 'Demonslayer'. The guy still wore the same outfit as before and casually leaned against the stem of the tree. Both of them just looked at each other for a second without saying anything more before Shu Ning scooted to the side to make some room. The other adventurer smiled and seated himself, leaving a bit of space between them so that they could look at each other while they talked.

"What are you doing here 'Demonslayer'? Are you doing a quest?"

"No. I was wandering around in hopes of comming across one. You?"

"I just finished mine. I was returning from the poisonous swamp when I descided to take a rest here. The wind feels quite nice after the pressing air and the wasteland of the swamp."

"Hmmm. That's true. I haven't been there often yet because I do not like the atmosphere."

"That's unfortunate. There are a lot of strong monsters there that could help rise your level. They at least did plenty for mine."

"Then how about going there together to level up? I would need someone to have my back."

Shu Ning thought about it for a second. Of corse he knew, that a guy like 'Demonslayer' probably had a qeue of people lining up to raid monsters with him and that there were more capable members inside of his guild. Still, a chance like this wouldn't come again and it would help his level a lot. He didn't have the time to give any answer though, as another shadow fell over them.

"Hello there, little 'black_cat'. We are the 'MonsterFarmers' Guild. You propbably heard of us before."

'Demonslayer frowned at the newcomers in irritation as they had interrupted their conversation while Shu Ning just indifferently watched them. The latter shook his head after thinking for a bit. He could not remember ever having heard that name before, so it could not be an important Guild. The three people standing in front of him also didn't seem familiar in any way.

"No? Well, we are quite known. Soon we will be on par with those bigshots. Not even the 'Devils_Horn' would stand a chance against us anymore. And you can be a part of all this. Join us and you will get a very special position in our ranks. You could get famous at our side and have rows of adventurers wish to join hands with you. How about it?"

The leader of the group haughtily grinned down at them and made an inviting gesture with his hands. Shu Ning looked at the Man sitting at his side and lifted his eyebrow to show his disbelief. The other mirrored his action and you could see his eyes twinkling in amusement. Those newcomers didn't seem to know who they had sitting in front of them.

"I would like to thank you for this inspiring invitation, but that would be a lie. There is no chance in hell that I would use my abilities for your benefit. So scram."

Shu Ning gently smiled at the group, but his words still cut deep like a sharp sword. The leader grit his teath in obvious anger and his companions stepped back a bit. One of them pulled out a dagger while the other grabbed a whip hanging at his hips. Both of them looked ready to pounce as soon as their boss gave the order. The guy in question glared at the two people sitting on the ground and pressed one word at a time through his clenched jaw.

"You Refuse? We could make you great and you reject us? You truly dodn't know what's good for you. Very well. If you aren't willing, then we will have to use force."

That was the signal. The two males in the back rushed forward, brandishing their weapons. The whip shot towards Shu Ning's ankle and wrapped around it while the dagger flew at the bigger Man. 'Demonslayer' leisurely grabbed the incomming hand and twisted until a sickening 'crunch' could be heard. The other male yoweled in pain and jumped to a safer distance. Shu Ning had derwhile roled his body around so that he could kick back at his enemy. He hit the guy square at the chest and the rope around his leg loosened.